Anti-theft devices for motorcycles, bicycles and the like

ABSTRACT

In an anti-theft device for a motorcycle or the like, a keyoperated interrupt switch and a normally open solenoid switch are in series between a power source and a signal means. A tilt switch is provided parallel to the interrupt switch and solenoid switch such that, if the motocycle is tilted while the interrupt switch is closed, the signal means is actuated and the solenoid switch closed to maintain the actuation. The tilt switch is carried from a normally-inoperative to a normally operative position as the interrupt switch is moved from its open to its closed position.

United States Patent Buell June 27, 1972 54] ANTI-THEFT DEVICES FOR2,503,449 4 1950 Murray ..180/104 MOTORCYCLES, BIC C AND THE 2,692,65210 1954 Wilson ...200/6l.47 550,229 11/1895 McDonald mu. ..340/52 LIKE[72] Inventor: Eugene F. Buell, Box 418, Grubbs Road R. PrimaryExaminer-John W. Caldwell D. #2,, Gibsonia, Pa. 15044 AssistantExaminer-Glen R. Swann, Ill Filed April 29 1970 AttorneyBuell, Blenko &Ziesenheim 211 App]. No.: 32,827 RA T In an anti-theft device for amotorcycle or the like, a key- 52 US. Cl ..340/63, 180/1 14, 200/61.47,Operated interrupt Switch and a normally p Solenoid Switch 200/6152,307/10 AT 340/65 are in series between a power source and a signalmeans. A tilt 51 Im. c1....; ..B62h 5/20 Switch is Pmvided P theinterrupt Switch and Solenoid [58] Field of Search 63 52 180/104 switchsuch that, if the motocycle is tilted while the interrupt 180/1 14200/6152 61:47 1 [10 switch is closed, the signal means is actuated andthe solenoid switch closed to maintain the actuation. The tilt switch iscar- 56] References Cited ried from a normally-inoperative to a normallyoperative position as the interrupt switch is moved from its open to itsclosed UNITED STATES PATENTS position- 1,305,352 6/1919 Gettell ..340/653 Clains, 5 Drawing Figures I l 41 I I 0 ANTI-THEFT DEVICES FORMOTORCYCLES, BICYCLES AND THE LIKE This invention relates to anti-theftdevices for motorcycles, bicycles and the like and particularly to adevice which provides an audible signal in case of attempted theft of amotorcycle, bicycle or the like device.

The incidence of theft of motorcycles, bicycles and the like is veryhigh, particularly in urban areas where gangs of professional thievesoperate with trucks and lift mechanisms so that the time honoredpractice of locking a wheel or the steering or any other of the oldfamiliar methods of preventing theft of a motorcycle or bicycle are noteffective, since the machine is simply loaded onto a truck and carriedaway so that the lock mechanism can be removed at the thieves leisure.As a result, there is virtually no satisfactory way to prevent theft.

I have invented a device which makes it impossible to move a bicycle ormotorcycle when the warning device is set.

Preferably, I provide in combination with a frame for a motorcycle,bicycle or the like, a tilt actuated switch, an audible signal means, apower source connected to the signal means through said tilt actuatedswitch and a lock controlled circuit interrupter switch in theconnection between the signal means and power source whereby theconnection can be closed or interrupted. The tilt switch is preferably amercury switch and the signal means is prefera-bly an electricallyactuated siren. The interrupter switch is preferably a simple on-oflswitch controlled through a key operated lock similar to an ignitionlock and in the case of a motorcycle, preferably operated by the samekey as the ignition lock. Preferably, the tilt switch is one whichoperates when its angle is changed in any direction.

In the foregoing general statement of my invention, I have set outcertain objects, purposes and advantages of my invention. Other objects,purposes and advantages of my invention will be apparent from aconsideration of the following description and the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a motorcycle embodying myinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a motorcycle embodying a secondembodiment of my invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic wiring diagram of an anti-theft device accordingto my invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic wiring diagram of a second embodiment ofanti-theft device according to my invention; and

FIG. 5 is a section through the combination lock and tilt switch used inthe embodiment of FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawings, I have illustrated a typical motorcycle framecarrying wheels 1 l and 12, a front fork'l3 and handlebars 14. A housingis fixed to the frame 10 on the top horizontal bar. The housing is fixedby welding to the frame or by attaching with non-removable bolts withinthe housing 15. I provide an electrically operated siren 16 or likeaudible signal means as shown in FIG. 3 connected to a source ofelectrical energy 17 such as a battery. The connection from the batteryto the signal means is through a tilt switch 18 which normally holds theconnection open but on tilting of the frame connects the battery to thesignal means so that any movement of the frame 10 will cause the tiltswitch to actuate and energize the alarm. An interrupter switch 19 isprovided in the line with the tilt switch so that the line can becompletely opened and the signal prevented from operating when the lockis opened and the line is ready for operation when the lock is closed soas to prevent use of the motorcycle without sounding an alarm.

The device of the invention operates as follows. When the operatorwishes to ride, he locks the switch 19 out so that the connectionbetween the signal means 16 and battery 17 is open. When the operatorstops and wishes to place the antitheft device on alert, he simplyunlocks switch 19 to the on position. This closes the connection betweenthe siren l6 and battery 17 except for the tilt switch 18 which is openand ready to operate. When anyone attempts to move the frame 10, thetilt switch 18 is actuated, closing the circuit to the siren 16 whichgives an audible warning that the motorcycle is being tampered with.Preferably, a by-pass line 20 is provided having a solenoid switch 21which is actuated by the passage of current through the tilt switch 18so that the signal siren 16 continues to operate, even though the tiltswitch 18 returns to normal, until current is interrupted by opening thelock switch 19 with its operating key at which point the solenoidreturns to its normal open position, ready for reuse.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, I have placed the siren, tilt switch, lockswitch and power connections with the main horizontal frame member 100.The assembly could equally well be placed in any other frame member asfor example, diagonal member 10b.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a second embodiment of circuit according to myinvention, in which the lock switch and tilt switch are a single unit,rather than two separate units as in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, anaudible signal means 30 such as a siren is connected to a power source31 through the tilt and lock switch 32. The tilt and lock switch 32 ismade up of an outer cylinder housing 33 and an inner rotatable cylinder34 rotatable by a key 35 from a lock to an unlock position. An

hour glass shaped tilt switch 36 having a cylindrical end 36a and ahemispherical end 36b is fixed to the end of rotatable cylinder 34 andis rotated from an unlocked position in which the mercury 37 iscollected in hemispherical end 36b around contact 38 which extendsthrough one end and is connected to line 39 going to battery 31. Acircular electrode 40 surrounds the inner wall of the end 36b just abovethe mercury pool 37. This electrode 40 is connected through the wall ofend 36b to line 41 which goes to the siren 30. When the frame, to whichthe tilt switch is connected, is tilted even slightly in any direction,the mercury 37 will contact electrode 40, thus closing the circuit fromthe battery to the siren. At the same time, solenoid switch 42 isenergized in by-pass line 43 so that even if the tilt is eliminated, thesiren will continue to operate until the cylinder 34 is rotated with key35 to the locked position, in which the mercury passes to end 36a andthe solenoid is deenergized by a mechanical switch 44, operated bycylinder 34 similar to an ignition switch.

This latter form of switch has the added advantage that it will signalpassersby in the event of an accident where the cycle goes off the road.In such an event, if the cycle upsets the mercury will run back or bethrown back into the hemispherical end and activate the siren to bringassistance.

In the foregoing specification, I have set out certain preferredembodiments of my invention. However, it will be understood that thisinvention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the followingclaims.

I claim:

1. An anti-theft device for motorcycles, bicycles and the like having amain frame comprising in combination with said main frame a signal meanson said frame, a power source on said frame spaced from said signalmeans for actuating the same, a connection between said power source andsignal means, a solenoid switch means in said connection in normallyopen position, a lock operated interrupter means in said connectionhaving one position in which the said connection is interrupted and asecond position in which the connection is closed and a tilt actuatedswitch in parallel with said lock operated interrupter and said solenoidswitch means having a normal position in which the connection throughsaid tilt switch is broken and a tilt position in which the connectionthrough said tilt switch is closed and completed whereby when the lockoperated interrupter means is in its second position and the frame istilted, the signal means is actuated and the solenoid switch is closed,said tilt switch being carried from a normally operative to a normallyinoperative position by said lock operated interrupter switch as itmoves from its said second position to its said one position.

2. An anti-theft device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the signal means,power source, lock operated interrupter means and tilt switch arecontained within a frame member.

3. A combination lock operated interrupter and tilt switch comprising anouter lock housing, an inner rotatable cylinder in said housingrotatable from a lock position in which a circuit connected thereto froma power source to a signal means is interrupted to an unlock position inwhich said circuit is closed by an insertable key means, a generallyhour glass shaped tilt switch of dielectric material fixed on saidrotatable cylinder and in parallel with said interrupter in said circuitfrom the power source to said signal means and having a generallycylindrical portion at one end and a generally hernispherical portion atthe other, the two ends connected by an intermediate hollow neckportion, an electrode means in said hemispherical portion extendingradially inwardly from the center of the hemispherical wall, a pool ofmercury in said tilt switch adapted to surround said electrode in thelocked position of the rotatable cylinder, an annular electrode withinsaid hemispherical portion spaced slightly above the mercury wherebywhen the tilt switch is tilted in any direction, the mercury contactssaid annular electrode, external electrical connections to each of saidelectrodes forming a part of a second circuit parallel to theinterrupter switch, said mercury being adapted to pass through thehollow neck portion to the cylindrical portion when the rotatablecylinder is rotated to the unlock position whereby the mercury isremoved from contact with the electrode.

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1. An anti-theft device for motorcycles, bicycles and the like having amain frame comprising in combination with said main frame a signal meanson said frame, a power source on said frame spaced from said signalmeans for actuating the same, a connection between said power source andsignal means, a solenoid switch means in said connection in normallyopen position, a lock operated interrupter means in said connectionhaving one position in which the said connection is interrupted and asecond position in which the connection is closed and a tilt actuatedswitch in parallel with said lock operated interrupter and said solenoidswitch means having a normal position in which the connection throughsaid tilt switch is broken and a tilt position in which the connectionthrough said tilt switch is closed and completed whereby when the lockoperated interrupter means is in its second position and the frame istilted, the signal means is actuated and the solenoid switch is closed,said tilt switch being carried from a normally operative to a normallyinoperative position by said lock operated interrupter switch as itmoves from its said second position to its said one position.
 2. Ananti-theft device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the signal means, powersource, lock operated interrupter means and tilt switch are containedwithin a frame member.
 3. A combination lock operated interrupter andtilt switch comprising an outer lock housing, an inner rotatablecylinder in said housing rotatable from a lock position in which acircuit connected thereto from a power source to a signal means isinterrupted to an unlock position in which said circuit is closed by aninsertable key means, a generally hour glass shaped tilt switch ofdielectric material fixed on said rotatable cylinder and in parallelwith said interrupter in said circuit from the power source to saidsignal means and having a generally cylindrical portion at one end and agenerally hemispherical portion at the other, the two ends connected byan intermediate hollow neck portion, an electrode means in saidhemispherical portion extending radially inwardly from the center of thehemispherical wall, a pool of mercury in said tilt switch adapted tosurround said electrode in the locked position of the rotatablecylinder, an annular electrode within said hemispherical portion spacedslightly above the mercury whereby when the tilt switch is tilted in anydirection, the mercury contacts said annular electrode, externalelectrical connections to each of said electrodes forming a part of asecond circuit parallel to the interrupter switch, said mercury beingadapted to pass through the hollow neck portion to the cylindricalportion when the rotatable cylinder is rotated to the unlock positionwhereby the mercury is removed from contact with the electrode.